Stories by Quinn Myers

Ask Geoffrey: An Airline Taxi Service in Chicago

What if instead of hailing a cab or a private car to get to O’Hare or Midway from downtown Chicago, you could hail an airplane? Geoffrey Baer is here with the story of a company that once offered that very service. 

The Legal Battle Over Lincoln Yards $1.3B TIF District

The battle over the massive $6 billion Lincoln Yards development is far from over. We discuss the controversial project with Aneel Chablani, chief counsel of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 5-8

Street festivals, retro tunes, cultural celebrations, opera under the stars and a jump in the river usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Bears, Packers Kick Off NFL’s 100th Season Thursday Night

Are the Bears’ kicking woes a thing of the past? Former Bears offensive lineman and WTTW News football analyst James “Big Cat” Williams kicks off the season with a preview of the Bears-Packers showdown.

Illinois Tech Becomes 1st University in Midwest to Offer Degree in Artificial Intelligence

This fall, students at the Illinois Institute of Technology will be among the first in the country to have the option of pursuing an undergraduate degree in AI. Aron Culotta, director of the new program, tells us more.

September 4, 2019 - Full Show

Watch the Sept. 4, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Jussie Smollett’s Attorneys Detail Why Civil Suit Should Be Tossed

Attorneys for the former “Empire” actor claim that simply filing a police report doesn’t typically result in an investigation as extensive as the one Chicago police undertook earlier this year, which cost $130,000.

‘We Need Help’: Rescuers in Bahamas Face a Ruined Landscape

A day after the most powerful hurricane on record ever to hit the country finished mauling the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, emergency workers had yet to reach some stricken areas.

April 2020 Trial Date Set in R. Kelly’s Federal Case in Chicago

A judge has set an April 27, 2020 trial date in R. Kelly’s federal case in Chicago that accuses the R&B star of child pornography and obstruction of justice.

Walmart Introduces New Gun Restrictions But Will They Help?

Walmart has won praise from gun control advocates for its decision to discontinue sales of certain gun ammunition and request that customers no longer openly carry firearms in its stores. But whether the moves will translate into fewer guns on the street remains an open question.

Facebook Face Recognition Feature to Replace Tag Suggestions

Facebook says it is ending its practice of using face recognition software to identify users’ friends in uploaded photos and automatically suggesting they “tag” them. Facebook was sued in Illinois over the feature.

Grammy-Winning Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey on John Mayer Tour, Family Legacy

He’s been playing the guitar for as long as he can remember. The musical journey that’s led Isaiah Sharkey to share the stage with some of the world’s most prominent stars.

Civil Rights Attorney to Lead New Office of Equity and Racial Justice

A new office aims to examine policy with equity and racial justice in mind. We speak with Candace Moore, who is leading the office.

Aldermen React to Mayor’s ‘Hard Choices’ in ‘State of the City’ Speech

City Council members are still digesting Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s “State of the City” address, in which she revealed an $838 million budget shortfall. We get reaction from Alds. Raymond Lopez and Nicholas Sposato.

CPS Unveils Englewood STEM High School After Controversial Closures

On Tuesday, Chicago Public Schools will welcome the inaugural class of students to Englewood STEM High School, 18 months after the district voted to close four other local high schools.

Social Worker Shares Intimate Stories from Chicago’s Mental Health System

What is the connection between mental health, trauma and Chicago’s high homicide rate? A new book by Jonathan Foiles aims to answer that question.

Exhibit Digs Up Satire and Skeletons of ‘Legendary Printmaker’ Posada

A Mexican artist who died 100 years ago still influences popular culture. Inside the exhibit “Jose Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico.”

From Tunnel to Tap: Field Exhibit Explores Hidden Beauty of Water Systems

Chicago photographer Brad Temkin offers a rare look at the hidden network of tunnels and infrastructure designed to deliver water, including Chicago’s 109-mile Deep Tunnel.

Chicago Dance Crash’s Wonderfully Fresh ‘Lil Pine Nut’ Deserves a Remount

As highly animated as the show might be, “Lil Pine Nut: The Learning Curve of Pinocchio” is no Disney-style version of a universally popular story. 

September 3, 2019 - Full Show

Watch the Sept. 3, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds in Hurricane-Stricken Bahamas

Hurricane Dorian pounded away at the Bahamas for a day and a half, devastating thousands of homes, trapping people and crippling hospitals. Atmospheric scientist Scott Collis of Argonne National Laboratory weighs in.

Willie Wilson to Run as Independent for US Senate Against Dick Durbin

Wealthy businessman and Chicago pastor Willie Wilson announced Tuesday he’ll run as an independent against U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. “As an independent Democrat I want to go into the belly of the beast in Washington, D.C.,” Wilson said.

Police: Shootings, Murders Fall in August

More than 40 people were shot in Chicago, eight fatally, over Labor Day weekend. Despite that, police say the total number of shootings and murders for August are at their lowest point since 2011.

Opioid Settlement Would Divide Money Based on Local Impact

The multibillion-dollar settlement that the maker of OxyContin is negotiating to resolve a crush of lawsuits over the nation’s opioid crisis contains formulas for dividing up the money among state and local governments across the country, The Associated Press has learned.

Suit Settled in Teen Suicide that Led to Illinois Law Change

The suicide of Corey Walgren, a suburban honor-roll student, raised sensitive questions about how to confront students suspected of recording and sharing sexual images and helped spur changes in Illinois law. 

Gov. Pritzker Pardons Army Vet Deported to Mexico

“I recognize this pardon is not a perfect solution, but it is the most just action to take to allow a U.S. veteran the opportunity to be treated fairly by the country he served,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.
 

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